U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier isn’t ready to hang up his judicial robe yet, but he does want to spend less time wearing it. To that end, he sent a letter to President Obama on Thursday, May 1 requesting he be granted senior status when he turns 65 in October.
Senior status is available to federal judges who sat on the bench for at least 15 years and are no less than 65 years of age. The arrangement would require Collier to maintain at least half of his current caseload, but allow him to receive his full pay and maintain his staff and chambers.
Judge Collier said the timing would work out well for the president, who would be able to appoint another judge for the district. “We have a very high case load – we have one of the heaviest criminal caseloads in the country – so that would make another person available to work, which benefits not only our court but also the public.”
“More than likely, the person will be younger than I am, and probably a little more vigorous than I am,” Judge Collier said, smiling.
Judge Collier, who resides in Chattanooga, said taking senior status would also allow him to spend more time with this family and pursue other interests.
“[My wife] Cheryl has been pushing me to do this for a long time,” he said. “When you’re in law school, you’re told the law is a jealous mistress. And that is correct. The law is very demanding, and you’ll find that you spend an awful lot of time involved in your profession, and not nearly as much time as you probably should with your family.”
Judge Collier is also looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren – a boy, 3, and a girl, 8. He says his granddaughter is looking forward to seeing him more. “She wants to be a judge when she grows up,” he said. “But she also wants to be a veterinarian, a doctor, and a chess player, so we’ll see.”
The esteemed justice also wans to devote more time to his civic and charitable interests. Judge Collier is a trustee at Second Missionary Baptist Church, is on the board of directors of the Urban League of Chattanooga, is on the Chancellor’s Roundtable at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and is the treasurer of the Tennessee State University Alumni Association. He’s also involved with his law school alma mater, Duke University. “I live an active and busy life,” he said.
Judge Collier also hopes to travel more – for pleasure rather than business. “I was at Duke last month, talking with the husband of one of my classmates, and he asked me which trips I’d taken. I told him I’ve been here, I’ve been there, and he asked me why,” he said. “When I told him why, he said, ‘That’s work! When was the last time you traveled for fun?’ I thought about it, and I realized I haven’t taken any time off to relax and enjoy myself, and at my age, I think that’s important to start doing.”
Judge Collier was appointed by President Clinton in 1995. He says the 19 years since then have passed quickly. “I’m surprised it’s been that long, but I counted from 1995 to 2014, and it comes to 19,” he said.
Among the highlights of his time on the bench was organizing the first Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference Chattanooga had ever hosted. “Chattanooga was the smallest city that had ever hosted the conference, and I had some concerns about whether or not we’d be able to pull it off. Our circuit is made up of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and we had judges, prominent lawyers, and scholars with national reputations come to Chattanooga. A tremendous number of people attended, and in every respect, people really enjoyed the city. Chattanooga rolled out the red carpet, and everyone had a great time. Most of the people at that conference said it was the best one they’d ever attended.”
Another highlight for Collier included working with the staff of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “We have an extremely good staff here. I had a hand in the hiring and training of some of them. At this point, we have the most professional and highly motivated staff we’ve ever had.”
Judge Collier has presided over a number of prominent cases, including the first federal death penalty case in the Eastern District – a case which is on appeal. He also presided over the tax evasion trial of gospel trumpeter Phil Driscoll and an immigration case involving Tyson Foods that had national implications.
“I could talk all day about the highlights of my time here,” he said. “There have been a lot more highlights than lowlights.”
Rather than being remembered for his record of service, however, Judge Collier hopes people will remember the many judges who have faithfully and skillfully served the Eastern District of Tennessee.
“The pubic doesn’t have an appreciation for the quality of the people who are serving as judges in this district. This district has one of the finest contingent of judges in the U.S. The public should be proud of them. I’m fortunate and proud to have been able to serve with such fine people.”